Sat Jan 18 20:57:15 UTC 2025: ## Chhattisgarh Police Update: Maoist Death Toll Rises to 18 in Bijapur Encounter
**Raipur, Chhattisgarh, January 19, 2025** – The Chhattisgarh police have revised the death toll from this week’s anti-Maoist operation in Bijapur district to 18, up from the initial report of 12 casualties. Inspector General of Police P. Sundarraj attributed the increase to a Maoist press release acknowledging the higher number of fatalities.
The operation targeted the PLGA Battalion No. 01 and CRC, key military formations within the Maoist hierarchy. Among the dead is Damodar, a cadre from the Telangana State Committee. The bodies of 12 Maoists were initially recovered from the forests of Tumrel, Sigampalli, Pujarikanker, and Malempenta.
IGP Sundarraj stated that the Maoists’ claims of security force casualties and atrocities against villagers are false. He vowed to continue the fight against the outlawed group until its complete elimination. The updated toll represents a significant blow to the Maoists in one of their strongholds.
First Piper 